Childhood Arthritis Estimates

A 2007 CDC study estimates that 294,000 U.S. children under age 18 (or
1 in 250 children) have been diagnosed with arthritis or another
rheumatologic condition. This study provides for the first time a
national data-based estimate of the number of children diagnosed with
arthritis and related rheumatic conditions across the United States and within
each state, creating a benchmark to measure future shifts
in occurrence. The study was prompted by a portion of the (proposed) Arthritis
Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2004 which called for better
determining the size of the childhood arthritis problem.

As a result, the CDC, in collaboration with several other
organizations, began an intensive review of options on how to estimate
the number of children with arthritis and related conditions and also
what conditions should be included. In addition to
providing these improved national estimates, the study also provides
estimates for each state. CDC's first-ever estimates of childhood
arthritis-related diagnoses show a state-by-state range from a low of
500 children with arthritis and other rheumatologic conditions in Wyoming to a high of 38,000 children in California.
Study data also show that children diagnosed with arthritis and other
rheumatologic conditions account for approximately 827,000 doctor visits
each year, including an average of 83,000 emergency department room
visits. For further information on the pediatric arthritis surveillance
is available.